VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18392, 28 July 1931, Page 5

VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE

WORK IN CHRISTCHURCH. STATE ASSISTANCE REQUIRED. A Christchurch paper says:—Emphasising the need for 'Government assistance in the matter of vocational guidance, Mr G. M. Keys, secretary to the Vocational Guidance Department of the Y.M.C.A., details the growth in ■the work during the past year, in a •report just Issued. ' Mr Keys stated that there had been a tremendous increase in the number of boys applying for help, and he was acutely aware of the dangers attaching to the work when It had reached this "mass production’’ stage. It was impossible to devote adequate time to each individual case, to keep in close contact with employers throughout the city- or to “‘follow up ” carefully even the most doubtful cases of placement, and consequently the risk of making mistakes was enhanced. As yet there was no evidence of faulty work, but the prospect was worrying. For one Individual to endeavour to assist more boys than came to the Y.M.G.A. during the last Christmas holidays would almost make a mockery of the real meaning of vocational guidanoe, and the only solution of the difficulty was to endeavour to impress upon the Government the urgent necessity for developing this work within the school system, leaving the Y.M.G.A. with the task of assisting those who were not thus helped.

Still More Difficult. The present period of economic depression had, of course, made the work still more difficult this year. The number of placements represented strenuous efforts on the part of the department and was very satisfactory under the circumstances. The boys who came for assistance represented practically every primary and post-primary school in Christchurch, In addition to some from further afield, and very many who had previously been In work, but who (in most Instances because of retrenchment) were unemployed. There were . in addition a number of more difficult cases referred to the department by the Juvenile Court and through the Big Brother Movement. The 1929-30 total of 248 boys who passed through the department's hands constituted a record: the total during last session reached 373, an increase of 125, and very many of these were urgent cases, because of distress in the homes. The ages varied from 12 to 20 years, and the standard of education ranged from those who had not been able to pass Standard IV of the primary school to those who had passed matriculation j and accountants’ preliminary examinaI tlons and had done two years postmatriculation work in university subI jects. The big majority of_ boys i were seeking help in choosing a career and in placement. Many who had intentions of going to work were persuaded to continue their education at a post-primary school meanwhile.

Definite Assistance Given

In practically every case some definite assistance was given, if not In actual placement, at least in giving vocational information, arranging for

interviews with business men willing to assist in discussing plans with them, clarifying the general ideas held regarding vocational choice, setting definite goals to be aimed at, and finally planning for further educational, physical and social development. In most instances the advice given was followed and had pro\ed of value. A large number seeking work returned to school meanwhile but were still on the list. The actual figures were as follows: —Applicants: From primary schools 90, from postprimary schools 162, previously in work 121, a total of 373. A further analysis showing the standard of education reached was as follows:—Not having passed Standard VI 42, proficiency or competency certificates 112, having attended a postprimary school 219. Altogether, of the 330 (approx.) who were seeking positions, 111 were placed; 5'4 directly through the department, and 57 through their own efforts. In a few instances requests from employers were not met by the department because it was felt that either the work or the environment was not desirable for a boy. While there were a number of instances of unsatisfactory results where boys were placed througn ■their own efforts, there were only three instances of placements made by the department which were not altogether satisfactory.